Sanitary Article Height Adjustment via Positioning Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary article mounting systems do not provide a simple and versatile method for adjusting the height of sanitary items like bidets, toilets, and washbasins to accommodate different user heights effectively.

Innovation Solution

A sanitary article arrangement featuring a positioning element with a through opening that can be inserted into a receptacle, allowing the fastening element to be adjusted in a slot, enabling height adjustment by varying the position of the through opening, which can be achieved with multiple positioning elements and different edge surface contacts, providing a range of 1 to 5 cm in height adjustment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed mounting system is used for sanitary articles, then the installation structure is simple, but the height adjustment capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidmounting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: a positioning element with through-openings for height adjustment, a receptacle for receiving the positioning element, and a fastening element for securing the assembly. This segmentation allows the height adjustment function to be added without complicating the entire mounting system, as each component has a specific, simple function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning element acts as an intermediary component between the receptacle and the fastening element. It provides the height adjustment function by allowing the fastening element to be positioned at different heights through its through-openings, while the receptacle provides a standardized interface for receiving the positioning element. This intermediary structure enables height adjustment without requiring complex integrated mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple positioning elements are provided for different heights, then the height adjustment range increases, but the number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheight adjustment rangeVSAvoidnumber of positioning elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning element is designed with multiple through-openings at different positions, allowing a single component to provide multiple height adjustment options. The receptacle is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate different positioning elements or different orientations of the same positioning element, enabling the system to achieve a height adjustment range of 1-5 cm without requiring multiple specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the through-opening position is fixed on the positioning element, then the manufacturing precision is high, but the installation flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidthrough-opening position precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning element features asymmetric positioning of through-openings relative to its edges, with each through-opening at a specific distance from reference edges. This asymmetric design allows the same positioning element to be inserted in different orientations into the receptacle, with each orientation engaging a different through-opening. The manufacturing precision is maintained for each individual through-opening position, while the asymmetric arrangement provides installation flexibility to achieve different heights.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3708727B1Sanitary article assembly and method of assembling thereof
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP3708727B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3708727B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3708727B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A sanitary article arrangement (1) comprises a sanitary article (2), in particular a bidet or a toilet bowl or a urinal or a washbasin, a fastening element (3) for fastening the sanitary article (1) to a building-side support point, and at least one positioning element (4) with at least one through-opening (7), wherein the sanitary article (2) has a slot (8) oriented vertically (V) in the installed position, which extends through a rear wall (9) of the sanitary article (2), and a receptacle (10) which at least partially surrounds the slot (8) and extends from the surface (15) of the rear wall (9) into the sanitary article (2), and wherein the positioning element (4) can be inserted into the receptacle (10) such that parts of the fastening element (3) are guided through the slot (8) and through the through-opening (7).wherein the position of the through-opening (7) in the receptacle (10) determines the height of the sanitary article (2).